It makes sense to assume that your resume and LinkedIn profile should contain the same kinds of information. And to a certain extent, they should. But the way this information is conveyed via these two platforms should be considerably different.
Deciding how much information to share and what voice to use should be influenced by the audience you are trying to reach. And while your resume can and should be tailored to the specific job you’re applying for, your LinkedIn profile needs to appeal to the masses.
So how exactly do you separate the two professional tools? Here are a few LinkedIn profile tips that can really make an impact, and perhaps even get you the ideal job.
A Holistic View of You
It may seem like a difficult balance to strike, but it is key to have a LinkedIn profile that is professional and highlights your personality at the same time.
A resume is a formal document that an employer consults to make sure that you are capable of doing a job. But a LinkedIn profile should provide a 360-degree view of you as an employee. Your LinkedIn profile is just that – a profile. Like other social media, it should be a depiction of who you are as a human being.
What are you like to work with? What accomplishments in your career are you passionate about? What makes you unique? All of these things need to come through on this platform. You want anyone reading your profile to have an idea of what it would be like to work with you day after day. So inject a little personality and discuss what aspects of your work you are passionate about.
It’s a good idea to do this in the intro section of your profile. While there is a similar objective section on your resume, you can be a little more creative here. But ensure that you use this space wisely. Keep it short, sweet, meaningful, and captivating.
Don’t Leave Out Details
While a resume should be contained to one or two pages depending on your years of experience, there are no restrictions on the length of a LinkedIn profile.
With that being said, you want to keep it succinct. But if you can tell a lengthy, captivating career story without losing your audience halfway through, you should do so. Get your point across as succinctly as possible, but don’t whittle down the details as you would on a resume. Your story is what will get you noticed on LinkedIn, not necessarily your list of past positions.
You should also spend time developing the skills section of your profile. Don’t leave anything out, especially if you have professional connections that are willing to endorse you. It’s great to mention that you have some experience with design software, but if your former boss can back that up with an endorsement, that is even better. It solidifies your story and lets potential employers know that you’re a worthy investment. This is one of the more useful aspects of your LinkedIn profile, and you should make sure you take full advantage.
Your One and Only
You probably have more than one resume. They’re most likely tailored to the job you’re applying for and who will be reading the document. This is not so with your LinkedIn profile.
While you know your audience when submitting a resume, you never know who will be looking at your profile. You could block opportunities you never even considered if you choose to leave some experience off of your profile. And the same could happen if you highlight one aspect of your career too aggressively.
Basically, your profile needs to be an accurate depiction of you as a professional which also appeals to the masses. It should show off everything your capable of, all of your accomplishments, and the aspects of your work-life which you are particularly proud of. It’s a complete picture as opposed to a snapshot.
Media is Your Friend
Your resume depends on words. And unless you send a portfolio of some kind as a supplement, that’s all your potential employers have to go on.
But with your LinkedIn profile, you can add links to articles, any projects you’ve worked on, full portfolios, and even relevant presentations. Your profile should be as dynamic as you are, creating a multimedia experience that will impress any potential employer who comes across it.
Keep these LinkedIn profile tips in mind, and you may just see some incredible results. Make sure it is updated regularly and remains dynamic and active. You never know who is looking for an employee just like you.
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